Ooops! Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine there would be two Ron Marshalls in my neighborhood. My apologies to you, Ron Marshall of Fauntleroy...mea culpa.

When you ask, re Jim McDermott, "Is this man really on our side?" are you asking the voter (Christian or not) whether the man represents your point of view? Are you asking whether he promotes your agenda? If so, I think you are setting the voter up for an adversarial relationship with his/her representative. There's a built-in hostility that goes with this kind of territory ... not healthy for the individual, not healthy for the nation.

I think the question should be, "Is this person working for the common good?" The ideal representative listens to his/her constituents and after considering all the data, takes action for the greater good. That's what makes democracy work. As to the resolution Jim McDermott voted against, I understand that it gave Christianity pre-eminence/priority. The role of Christianity and other religions in history should be acknowledged, but I'm not sure it calls for legislation. Nor do I think we need to legislate in regarding to public displays by religious faiths.

We need to know and respect people of other faiths - let them all share - we can learn how we are alike and how we are different. We can even work together on community improvements.

The main issue is preferential treatment. I have a feeling this is what some Christians would like, but I am not one of them. Such a policy would indeed establish a religion and would form the basis for future legislation that would favor Christianity over other faiths. I don't think we want to go there.

Olive Spannaus

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